Making the case for competing the next USAF tanker procurement

Subscription Required By Scott Hamilton May 22, 2023, © Leeham News: The US Air Force is moving slowly toward another aerial refueling tanker procurement. With hundreds of ancient Boeing KC-135 tankers still to replace, the procurement will be… Read More

Boeing and Washington State; and: Congressional meddling may threaten KC-46A

The Washington State Legislature may consider implementing a mechanism to track the benefits of the Boeing 777X tax incentives granted last year, according to the on-line news service Crosscut. Boeing opposes the measure, according to the report.

Overlooked possibilities for the A330neo

There are overlooked possibilities for the Airbus A330-800 and A330-900 New Engine Options. What, you may ask, are these? The A330neo might give new life to the poor-selling A330-200F program and, perhaps more importantly better position Airbus to… Read More

Odds and Ends: XYZ–Next USAF aerial tanker specs; Analysts on CSeries ahead of earnings

KC-XYZ: The USAF hasn’t even received the first Boeing KC-46A, which was the tanker award from the KC-X competition, and it has begun drawing up specifications for the follow-on competition, the KC-Y. The KC-Y is the second tranche… Read More

USAF considers scrapping KC-10 in sequester

KC-10 scrapping: The US Air Force is considering scrapping the KC-10 aerial tanker fleet as a result of budget cutbacks in the sequester, The Army Times reports. This is stunning news, considering the seven year battle to recapitalize… Read More

Milestone in aerial refueling: the unmanned KC-10

Very clever and creative flying, as reported here.

Northrop wins tanker contract

Update, 9:30 am: We’ve added more information below the jump. Northrop Grumman won a big KC-10 tanker maintenance contract from the Air Force this week, taking it away from Boeing, which has had it for 10 years. The… Read More

Boeing San Antonio seeking tanker work

Boeing’s defense unit in San Antonio, TX, is bidding on USAF KC-10 upgrade work. See this story. For the conspiracy theorists and those in Seattle terrorized by the prospect Boeing Commercial Airplanes could locate the second 787 production… Read More